CMSAF Flosi Says He Will Retire
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi is retiring following the unexpected death of his wife Katy last month, he announced in an email to the force Oct. 13.
Pentagon’s New Counter-Drone Task Force to Arm Future ACE Airmen
The Pentagon’s new counter-drone task force will play a direct role in arming Airmen with new weapons to defend Air Force agile combat employment, or ACE, air bases in austere locations against enemy drone attacks, the director of Joint Interagency Task Force 401 said Oct. 14.
DOD Canceled the Air Force’s $1.4B ‘Cloud One’ Contract. Did it Save Any Money?
When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth canceled the Air Force’s Cloud One Next contract earlier this year, he declared it would save taxpayers $1.4 billion—the maximum billings under the contract. But current and former Air Force personnel who are familiar with Cloud One say it’s not as simple as that.
Hegseth Wants Basic to Go Old School. What Policies Must Change First?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent direction that the military services return to a more old-school approach to basic training—with instructors "tossing bunks" and "putting their hands on recruits”—will likely require the Air Force to rewrite policies for military training instructors it has modified over time to cut down on such actions.
Radar Sweep
First Shots in Future Fights Will Be Fired in Cyberspace, Leaders Warn
Defense News
The next conflict likely won’t start with bullets or missiles at a distant overseas location, but instead could be a cyber strike on the homeland.
Hamas Reasserts Control in a Chaotic Gaza, Posing a Risk to the Fragile Ceasefire
The Associated Press
As the Gaza ceasefire holds, Hamas security forces have returned to the streets, clashed with armed groups, and killed alleged gangsters in what the militant group says is an attempt to restore law and order in areas where Israeli troops have withdrawn. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said the war will not end until Hamas has been dismantled.
Lockheed, Germany’s Diehl Sign PAC-3 MSE Pact to Boost Supply Chain Resilience
Breaking Defense
Lockheed Martin and German manufacturer Diehl Defense signed a pact today for “collaboration opportunities” to expand the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor global supply chain.
Troops Are Starting to Get Paid, But Aren’t Out of the Woods as Shutdown Continues
Task & Purpose
Troops were starting to see money deposited into their accounts Oct. 14 a few days after the Defense Department said that it was moving $8 billion out of research and development funds to dish out paychecks amid the ongoing government shutdown.
US Army General In Europe Admits ‘We’re Behind’ on Drones
The War Zone
The U.S. Army continues to lag behind global trends when it comes to fielding drones and systems to counter their use by hostile forces, according to a top general overseeing soldiers in Europe.
US Kills 6 Alleged Drug Smugglers in New Strike Off Venezuela, Trump Says
The Washington Post
The U.S. military killed six alleged drug smugglers Oct. 14 off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump said, the latest development in an ongoing military campaign that has raised questions about his legal authority to use lethal force against vessels suspected of transporting illicit narcotics.
Is Qatar Getting an Idaho Air Base? Not Exactly.
The National Interest
Oct. 10, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the United States will allow Qatar to build a training facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The news that Qatari forces will be training in the United States wasn’t received well, notably by those who are usually very supportive of President Donald Trump.
Trump and Zelenskyy to Meet in Washington
POLITICO
President Donald Trump plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House Oct. 17, as he continues to signal closer ties with Ukraine after months of pressuring the country to make concessions in its war against Russia.
Happy 250th Birthday US Navy: Philadelphia Continues Weeklong Celebration of the Sea Service
Stars and Stripes
Philadelphia celebrated the Navy’s 250th birthday with a city parade and a “Victory at Sea” concert, continuing a week of events honoring the Navy and Marine Corps.
